SEALING DEVICE FOR A CYLINDRICAL PACKAGE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device for a cylindrical packing (1) of flexible material, said packing being intended for products in paste form. The closure device according to the invention comprises a closure means (2) with a bottom (3) and an essentially cylindrical wall (4), which is joined to the bottom (3) and extends out from the same. It is provided on its interior with at least two radially inwardly directed ridges (5), which extend helically essentially from the bottom (3) to the free edge of the wall (4).

Description: Sealing device for a cylindrical package of flexible material The invention relates to a closure device for a cylindrical packing of flexible material, said packing being intended for paste products. Greater and greater demands are being placed on packings being simpler and more environmentally friendly, but combining an environmentally friendly packing with simple use for the user at low price is in many cases very difficult. As regards relatively solid or semisolid products, i.e. products with a paste-like consistency, so-called hose-packings, are used today, which are simple and inexpensive. One problem is, however, that such a packing cannot be reclosed in a simple and satisfactory manner once it has been opened. This means that after use of a portion of the product, it is difficult to store the remaining product in a satisfactory manner. The purpose of the invention is to remove the above described problem and provide a packing which can be reclosed after a portion of the contents has been removed. This is achieved according to the invention by means of a closure device which has those features disclosed in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Suitable embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows, as an example, a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which: Figure 1 is a sideview of a closure device according to the invention mounted on a packing, Figure 2 is a plan view seen from above of the closure device shown in Fig 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the closure device according to Figs 1 and 2, and Figure 4 shows a section through a closure device according to a second embodiment of the invention, mounted on a packing. Figure 1 shows a cylindrical packing 1, which can be a so- called hose-packing which is known per se. This packing is intended to contain a relatively solid or semisolid product, such as dog or cat food, nut paste, chocolate paste, butter, margarine, liverwurst or other spreadable products. At the lower end of the packing 1 in Figure 1, there is a closure device with a closure means 2 according to the invention. The closure means 2 has the shape of an upside down cover with a bottom 3 (see Figs 2 and 3) and an essentially cylindrical wall 4, which is made in one piece with the bottom 3 and extends in one direction therefrom. On its inside, the essentially cylindrical wall 4 is provided with two radially inwardly directed ridges 5, extending helically essentially from the bottom 3 to the free edge of the wall 4. As can be seen, each of the ridges 5 only extends along a portion of the circumference of the wall 4, and the ridges 5 form a short thread with a large pitch angle. It should also be noted that the number of ridges 5 can be greater than 2, e.g. 4, which can be of advantage for achieving stability during use. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the wall 4 on at least a portion 4a closest to the free edge is made slightly conically with a larger diameter at the free edge, i.e. the wall is wider at the top as seen in Figure 1. As is particularly evident from Figure 2, the ridges 5 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the inside of the wall 4. The use of three or four ridges is also suitable, which is, however, not shown in the drawing. The wall 4 is also provided on its outside with scale markings 6, making it possible to measure out a desired amount of the product in the packing 1, as will be described in more detail below. The closure device according to the invention functions in the following manner. When the packing 1 has been filled with the desired product, the closure means 2 is mounted in place by being screwed onto the flexible material of the packing 1. The ridges 5 produce threads by pressing in the material in the packing 1 in the packaged product. In this manner, the closure means 2 can be securely screwed fast to the packing 1, said screwing being facilitated by the conical portion 4a of the wall 4. The pitch of the ridges 5 is suitably selected so that the closure means 2 can be screwed fast onto the packing 1 so that it will come into contact with the bottom 3 after being rotated approximately 120°. In a corresponding manner, the packing 1 can be reclosed after removal of the closure means 2 and removal of the desired amount of the contents of the packing 1. Reclosure is achieved in a reliable manner by virtue of the fact that the closure means 2 will be in close contact with its wall 4 against the outside of the packing 1. Thus, the contents of the packing 1 will be protected in a satisfactory manner. With the aid of the scale marking 6 on the outside of the wall 4, it is possible, by turning the closure means 2, to measure out a desired amount of the contents of the packing 1 for removal. The closure means 2 is screwed down completely, whereafter the closure means 2 is screwed back a sufficient number of markings on the scale marking 6 so that the desired volume remains in the closure means 2, a mark is thereafter made in the flexible material of the packing 1, the closure means is screwed off and the packing 1 is cut along the marking. The height of the wall 4 and the distance between the scale marking 6 must be coordinated so that it is possible to judge how great an amount of the contents in the packing 1 there is room for in the closure means 2. Figure 4 shows a cylindrical packing 1 with a closure device according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this case as well, there is a closure means 2 with a bottom 3 and an essentially cylindrical wall 4, which has radially inwardly directed ridges 5 in the same manner as in the embodiment according to Figures 1-3. In the embodiment according to Figure 4, there is also an inner closure means 6, which is joined to the packing 1 by means of glueing or in another suitable manner, so that there will be a tight joint between the inner closure means 6 and the packing 1. The closure means 2 is then screwed onto the inner closure means 6. The embodiment according to Figure 4 is intended to be used for products which cannot be exposed to air for any longer period of time. The packing 1 is a so-called collapsible packing, which collapses as its contents is used. In its simplest form, this is a hose-packing which is closed at its upper end by a clip 7. When the packing 1 is filled and unused, the inner closure means 6 is provided with a bottom (not shown in the drawing), providing an airtight seal for the entire lower end of the packing 1. At the first opening of the packing, the bottom of the inner closure means 6 is cut off as well as the end of the packing 1. Then the desired amount of the product is squeezed out of the packing 1, and the closure means 2 is placed onto the inner closure means 6. The invention is of course not limited to the examples shown above, rather changes can be made within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: Claims 1. Closure device for a cylindrical packing (1) of flexible material, said packing being intended for paste products, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises a closure means (2) with a bottom (3) and an essentially cylindrical wall (4), which is joined to the bottom (3) and extends from the same, and is provided on its inside with at least two radially inwardly directed ridges (5), which extend helically essentially from the bottom (3) to the free edge of the wall (4). 2. Closure device according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the essentially cylindrical wall (4), over essentially a portion (4a) of its height closest to the free edge, is slightly conical with the larger diameter at the free edge of the wall (4). 3. Closure device according to Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the ridges (5) are evenly distributed around the circumference of the inside of the wall (4). 4. Closure device according to one of Claims 1-3, c h a r a c¬ t e r i z e d in that the wall (4) on its outside is provided with a scale marking (6). 5. Closure device according to one of Claims 1-4, c h a r a c¬ t e r i z e d in that the packing (1) is provided with an inner closure means (6) with an essentially cylindrical wall onto which the closure means (2) is screwed. 6. Closure device according to Claim 5, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the inner closure means (6) is provided with a bottom, which is intended to be removed at the first opening of the packing (1).

Inventors: ERIKSSON VILHO, ERIKSSON, VILHO
Applicants: ERIKSSON VILHO, ERIKSSON, VILHO
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B07B1
IPC codes: B65D41, B65D43, B65D75